Thomas Dave Rafferty's Obituary
Thomas Dave Rafferty, age 71, passed away on February 15, 2026, in Greenville, South Carolina. He was born on October 19, 1954, in Lakewood, Ohio, to the late Jim and Viola “Vi” Rafferty.
Tom was a 1973 graduate of St. Ignatius High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry from Case Western Reserve University in 1976. He continued his studies at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, completing both his surgical residency and vascular surgery fellowship in 1986. Tom dedicated more than 28 years to his career as a vascular surgeon and later served as a hospitalist in both Cleveland and Greenville before retiring fully in 2022.
On October 12, 1979, Tom married his beloved wife, Christine (née Wolff), in Cleveland, Ohio. Together they built a family grounded in love, laughter, and unwavering support.
In his free time, Tom enjoyed golfing, working on landscaping projects, and his cherished annual ski trips to Colorado.
He will be remembered for his witty sense of humor, dedication to his career, and loyalty to his close friends and family.
Tom is survived by his beloved wife, Christine, his children, Leslie Rafferty, Tom Rafferty, and Julie (Tucker) Hannah ; his brothers, Jim and Tim Rafferty; and his grandchildren, Camden, Lachlan, and Adeline Hannah.
A Memorial Mass will be held on March 10, 2026, at 11:30 AM at St. Angela Merici Church in Fairview, Ohio, with a luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Rafferty Family Scholarship Fund at St. Ignatius High School:
https://www.ignatius.edu/give.com
What’s your fondest memory of Thomas?
What’s a lesson you learned from Thomas?
Share a story where Thomas' kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Thomas you’ll never forget.
How did Thomas make you smile?
